The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-13
THEY ARETIRED OF THRILLING
Citizens Want an Ordinance Passed
that Will Give Them Gas at Once.
An Instance Of What the Delay Is Costing the
City-Why a Manufacturing Firm
Did Not Move to Indianapolis.

The natural-gas question and the very remark
able natural-gas ordinance continue to be the
absorbing topics OF conversation. The feeling
yesterday was that in making nominations for
the City Council the issue would be made on the
standing of candidates on the ordinance and
that the attempt to drag in street railway mat
ters to make a dust to hide the real issue would
not be successful, though several candidates.
depending on it. Judge A. L. Reaches view
the ordinance is representative of the opinion of
the average citizen who is not connected by any
business ties with any of the companies-neither
those who would desire to bring gas into the city
nor those who interested in keeping it
out. sI am in favor said the Judge to
Journal reporter, ''of an ordinance under
which gas will core into Indianapolis before
cold weather gets here. From what l know
about natural gas and its use in other cities. l
did not believe when this ordinance was passed
that any company could be found to bring it
here under its restrictions That impression has
been strengthened and now amounts to con-
viction. by reason of the fact that no company
has signiied purpose to accept that ordinance
or to bring gas here under it l think it is the
duty of the Council to pass promptly such an
ordinance will bring gas here
What Indianapolis is losing by the delay In
getting the gas supply into the city comes to
light from day to day. Mr. A. Burdsai the
a letter which should, it is suggested. be Kept
before those who attempting to delay the
introduction of natural gas into Indianapolis
The telegraph brings the report from Marion
that Stewart Estep d Co.. of Pittsburg, have
been induced to move to that enterprising town
upon receiving offers of land and free gas. This
firm wanted to locate in Indianapolis, out as the
letter indicates, the uncertainty of when gas
would be pped to the city, deferred the frm
from deciding to come Tney wrote to Mr.
Burdsal on July &c:
I'VE have decided where will locate yet.
We Were in both Marion and Noblesville; and ike
In regard to gas there is not much difference. As
have stated, have not yet settled where we VIII
go. but it must be where do the best. Free
gas item to be looked at. 1t costs So Go
year for gas. This must not be lost sight of,
and yet there are other things to be taken into
count-water and taxes, and great many other
things So feel like going where can make
glass as cheap as they can anywhere If you had
there is the drawback"
This letter was turned over by Mr.. Burdsal to
Mr.. Potts, Thursday He at once wrote the
firm, offering Inducements for the location of
this concern in Indianapolis. 1t is supposed
from the reports from Marion, however. that
Indianapolis Is too late In speaking Of this
case, Mr. Potts said: Stewart, Estep 81 Co.
are manufacturers of pateg glass in Pittsburg,
and their factory was destroyed by fire some
time in July, which noted in the papers the
next day. Had our improvement company
been then organized would have had
pamphlet in the hapds of this firm within twenty
four hours, setting forth the advantages of In
Gianapolis, railroad facilities inducements
offered to manufacturers to locate and offer
of transportation to representative who might
be sent to investigate the situation. Had this
been done, Indianapolis might have secured this
industry. provided, of course, there was GER
tainty as to when gas would be supplied. There
is growing opinion that, ultimately. manu-
facturers of glass and many other bulky com
modties will be forced to move into the gas dis
tricts of Ohio ard Indiana in order to compete
for the trade of the Western States and with
gas at reasonable price, Indianapolis need fear
no composition Z"
do you suppose spending the money
to keep gas out of Indianapolis and
not bring it INF" inqa hired George F. Branham,
of the Indianapolis Natural-gas Company. in a
street corner conversation.
One of the persons addressed shook his head
obviously if not quite certain what the in
tentions of tho company might be-
why. sir" continued Mr. Branham, 1--WE
have already spent more than $4,000 Com
mon sense would tell any one that we would not
throw away such an amount of money"
when we to have gas2n was the next in
quiry.
1--WE promise you that so far company
is concerned, Indianapolis will get soon
we can pipe 1t here after we have found a
sufficient supply to begin upon"
''Wil that be this winters" persisted the
questioner.
Mr.. Branham said It meant the coming win
ter if the supply of gas sufficient.